Raycast

Who It's For

Raycast is for Mac users who want an Alfred/Spotlight replacement that also handles window management, so they don't need a separate tool for basic snapping. Its window management commands are a built-in extension: assign dedicated keyboard shortcuts to each snap position and use them directly, or invoke them from the Raycast command palette by name. For users already invested in Raycast as a launcher, this removes the need to install and maintain a separate window manager for halves and quarters.

How It Works

Raycast's window management is a first-party extension that uses the macOS Accessibility API to move and resize windows. Commands cover halves, thirds, quarters, fullscreen, center, and multi-monitor moves. Each command can have its own dedicated global keyboard shortcut configured in Raycast Preferences → Extensions → Window Management. Raycast's scripting layer (JavaScript/TypeScript-based extensions) means custom window management workflows can be written and shared through the extension store. The free tier covers all window management features; Raycast Pro adds AI features that window management doesn't require.

Compared to Similar Tools

Compared to Rectangle (free, dedicated), Raycast's window management has fewer options (no snap areas, no custom zones, no drag-to-snap). Rectangle is the better choice if window management is your primary concern. Raycast makes sense when you're already using it as a launcher and want to consolidate tools — installing both Rectangle and Raycast is reasonable if you want a dedicated window manager plus a launcher, and many users do exactly that. Compared to Magnet ($5.99), Raycast's window management is free for Raycast users but less capable overall.

Requirements

• macOS 12 Monterey or later
• Accessibility permission required for window management
• Free tier covers all window management; Raycast Pro is optional

Getting Started

brew install --cask raycast

Launch Raycast, grant Accessibility permission, then go to Preferences → Extensions → Window Management to assign keyboard shortcuts to your most-used positions. The Raycast changelog at raycast.com/changelog documents frequent updates.